Chinese Export Furniture
CHINESE EXPORT STYLE
Expanded trade between Europe and East Asia, starting in the 16th century, led to a booming market for exported goods, particularly furniture. This was bolstered by the establishment of the Dutch and English East India Companies at the beginning of the 17th century. From folding screens and chairs to lacquer tables and silver, Chinese Export furniture was in demand and regularly copied and imitated, leading to styles like chinoiserie and Chinese Chippendale.
The expansion of exporting that had strengthened the arts during the Ming dynasty continued into the Qing dynasty era — Chinese designers made many furniture pieces specifically for export, resulting in distinctive designs that mixed traditional techniques with forms appealing to foreign buyers. For instance, cabinetmakers in Canton (modern-day Guangzhou) were prolific in crafting hardwood furniture for export in European styles that involved the expert joinery techniques of Chinese furniture. Designs for Chinese Export porcelain, cabinets, decorative objects and other furniture were often more ornately adorned than they would be for a local audience, such as with mother-of-pearl overlays or surfaces featuring lavish pictorial scenes or gold on black motifs. Some were even commissioned by wealthy European families to be adorned with their coat of arms.
Because lacquer furniture was especially prized, and the resin used to create it was difficult to import as it would harden during the long voyage, artisans in China and Japan exported numerous lacquer pieces. Long before lacquer made its way to Japan, the Chinese treated the material differently. They used it to create smooth, glossy surfaces, but also for carving, an art that began in the 12th century and is exclusively Chinese. These pieces are called cinnabar lacquer after the powdered mercury sulfide (cinnabar) employed to produce their characteristic red hue. A popular form for export was a compact cabinet with drawers, usually displayed on a small table. Undecorated furniture built in Europe was also shipped to China to be lacquered. The international exchange of design would influence furniture into the 19th century and later, informing styles such as Art Deco and Art Nouveau.
Find a collection of antique Chinese Export tables, beds, cupboards, table lamps and more furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Chinese Export
SUITE OF RARE COLLECTABLE ANTiQUE CHINESE MOTHER OF PEARL GAMES COUNTERS CHIPS
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of antique Chinese circa 1900 mother of pearl games counters
A truly lovely early suite, ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
Set of Four Framed Chinese T’ang Horse Paintings
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful set of four watercolor Chinese T’ang style horses. Gilt framing on all four. Very good condition with minor wear on frames.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paint
EXQUISITE CIRCA 1880 QING DYNASTY CARVED HARDWOOD CHINESE DRAGON ARMCHAiR
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Chinese Export circa 1880-1900 hand carved Rosewood armchair with oversized curled Dr...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Round Mahogany Pedestal Table, 20th C
Located in New York, NY
Round Mahogany Pedestal Table, 20th century, with geometric motif on frieze over four spider legs.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese 汪永嘉 Misty Mountain Landscape Watercolor Painting 42"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese landscape watercolor painting on paper showing a lone figure walking among the trees towards a small cottage on the misty mountains at dusk. Beveled giltwood frame; l...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paint, Paper
Blue and White Brush Pot with First Scholar
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
LOVELY CHiNESE ELM STORAGE TRUNK OR CHEST OF LINEN & CLOTHES, TOYS PART OF A SET
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Chinese Elm with brass strap work storage trunk
Please note the delivery fee listed is just a ...
Category
20th Century English Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Elm
ANTIQUE SHENG YUAN SIGNED STERLING SILVER HAND HAMMERED CHiNESE COCKTAIL SHAKER
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, circa 1930 Chinese Sterling Silver Cocktail shaker made in Shanghai by He Ji and retailed thr...
Category
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
NEST OF THREE ANTIQUE CIRCA 1920 CHINESE CHINOISERIE SiDE TABLES HAND PAINTED
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely nest of three original Chinese Chinoiserie green lacquered and hand painted nested tables
Pleas...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. And b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Chinese Ancestor Empress Portrait Watercolor Scroll Painting 57"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique watercolor on paper Chinese ancestor portrait, depicting a woman on a throne chair wearing intricate robes with cranes and dragons, and jeweled crown...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paint, Paper
Pair of Antique Chinese 19th cent Turquoise Enameled Ceramic pot holder
Located in Miami, FL
A turquoise glazed pair of jardiniere with incised five clawed dragons design,
China 19th century.
Small chips to the mouth rim.
Category
Mid-19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Blue and White Four Flowers Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Loosely brushed with cobalt blue pigments, this round, blue-and-white storage jar is underglazed with lush garden scenery featuring the flowering plants of the four seasons. Tree peo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. And b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Pine
Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. And b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Pine
Chinese Blue and White Jar with Scholars' Objects
Located in Chicago, IL
This porcelain storage jar has a rounded, tapered form and is brightly glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner. The jar is decorated on three sides with cartouches enclosing stil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Asian Pottery Floor Jardinieres Birds
By Dona & Co.
Located in Fulton, CA
A pair of ceramic floor jars by Dona, Vietman. Circa. 1970. Bird and branch design. (notice one has painted rim, one does not)
Height 24 in.
Category
Mid-20th Century Vietnamese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Famille Rose Sweetmeat Dishes set with Wooden
Located in Pomona, CA
A set of antique Chinese famille rose porcelain nine-piece combined square dishes for sweetmeats or nuts, each dish decorated with floral patterns, smooth glazed bases, late Qing Dyn...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century South East Asian Three-Tier Elmwood Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Centruy South East Asian, probably Chinese, Three-Tier Elmwood Side Table. Measures 15" in width, 15" in depth and stands 26.75" in height. Lower tier clearence is 10.75" and up...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Elm
19th Century Asian Two-Tier Lacquered And Decorated Handled Basket
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Asian Two-Tier Lacquered And Decorated Handled and covared Basket.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Tall Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Pagoda
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this pair of tall Blue and White porcelain pagoda towers each crafted with six hand decorated separate pieces.
These are in separated ...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Mid-Century Hieroglyphic Style Cast Metal Table Lamps
Located in Fulton, CA
A unique pair of cast metal table lamps. They are heavy cast metal with a bronze like patina. Each lamp is mounted to an Asian style wood base. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Chinese Shanxi Red Lacquer Poplar Floral Painted Bentwood Hat Tea Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese Shanxi Red Lacquer Poplar Hat / Tea Box. Features a floral decorated design over red lacquer finish.
Dimensions:
13" x 13" x 12.25"h
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Poplar, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Fish Bowl, Planter
Located in Pomona, CA
Very large Chinese famille rose porcelain bowl. It is hand made and hand painted porcelain fish pot with a thick bull nose ring on the top. A beautiful hand p...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Lacquered Asian Trays from Vietnam, with circles Decor Pattern Set of 2
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This tray is an Asian tray. It has been made in Vietnam in the 1980's. It is made in black lacquered painted wood. Oranges fishes are the decor pattern.
Category
1970s Vietnamese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Blue and White Brush Pot with Koi & Lotus
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Export Eggshell Porcelain Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Chinese Export porcelain vase.
In a baluster form.
Decorated with a painted scene of two men and two women in traditional Chinese garb. In the background are trees and a roc...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Plates with Green Enamel, Set of Twelve
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Plates with Green Enamel,
Set of Twelve,
Circa 1775
The Chinese Export porcelain plates had a wavy shaped rim which is decorated with a contin...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Set Of Two Diminutive Carved Chinese Jade Beads
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set Of two diminutive carved jade beads. Beautiful intricate carvings on both. Both have tiny hole in top and at bottom.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Jade
Chinese Export Wallpaper Six Panel Screen
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese export wallpaper six panel screen, each panel depicting Chinese decor. Screen includes blue and white painted vases, urns and furnishings in colors that include blue, burgund...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint, Paper
Set of 4 Chinese Export Porcelain Celadon Plates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 4 antique Chinese porcelain celadon plates.
Each with a raised depictions of birds, bugs, and butterflies surrounded by pink, orange, and green foliage against a celad...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Celadon
Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Kangxi Blue Ginger Jar with Phoenix & Birds
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain ginger jar.
With a white ground and blue decoration.
With a depiction of a Chinese phoenix (Fènghuáng, 鳳凰) amongst the clouds, along with de...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Cloisonne Elephant Ginger Jar
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual antique Chinese ginger jar handcrafted in a cloisonne technique, decorated with fauna, flora, and tassels on an alluring blue background, featuring a removable head ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Antique Chinese Carved Nephrite White Jade Belt Buckle
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century hand-carved nephrite white jade waist buckle. Features a mythical bird with possible chilong creature on front. Unique Asian jade piece. Very fine and detailed carving.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Jade
Antique Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Saucer with Doves in a Bird Bath
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine late 18th or early 19th Century Chinese export armorial porcelain saucer.
With a white ground and cobalt blue and gilt geometric designs.
The center bears an armorial crest ...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Umbrella Stand or Vase
Located in Doylestown, PA
Chinese Famille Verte porcelain cylinder vase or umbrella holder, c. 1960s.
This cheerful vase or cane/umbrella holder has great vibrant colors with flowers and ribbon swag detail. ...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Blue and White Brush Pot with Fish & Flora
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This stonewa...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Apple Green Chinese Crackle Vase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Antique Apple Green Chinese Crackle Vase.
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Tea Caddy Cloisonne Enamels on Copper 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Handcrafted using the Cloisonné technique, this tea caddy has an original shape, decorated with stylized bats and flowers, and signed at the bottom. Perfect for tea enthusiasts, it w...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Copper, Enamel
MId-20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Siver Chest Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptional Mid-20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Siver Chest and Cabinet in great vintage condition.
Features a flip top that open to reveal two flatware storage trays all fel...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Felt, Rosewood
Chinese Export Four Panel Carved Soapstone Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing Chinese export four panel coromandel screen featuring beauties in a pagoda pavilion landscape. Beautifully crafted from intricately carved soapstone in vivid colors and fasci...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Soapstone, Brass
19th Century Chinese Cherrywood Occasional Table
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century Chinese Cherrywood occasional table featuring a carved water lily design to apron. With rounded edges, carved divet to top and three delicate stretchers.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Mid-Century Chinese Export Style Famille Rose Garden Seat / Side Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century Chinese Export style colorful famille rose garden seat or side table. It depicts Chinese pastoral scenes on each panel. The top is 10.5” in diameter.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Caddy Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Export hand-painted porcelain tea caddy jar. Pictures of a boy and his dog adorn both sides of jar in rich colors of dark blue, gold, red and turquoise. Greek key border fram...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Terra Cotta Garden Seats with Elephants and Flowers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of vintage Chinese garden seats with rare decorative appeal hand decorated with elephants on an alluring red background and f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Set of Four Elm Folding Screen Room Dividers, China circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
A set of four large natural elm wood interior folding screen panels with vertical fretwork that allows light to pass through the upper section.
Solid, stable and all hinges in place....
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Elm
Large Chinese Double Gourd Ceramic Lamp
Located in London, GB
Large Chinese Double Gourd Ceramic Lamp on wooden base
20th Century.
In good condition commensurate of age.
Shade not included
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Burl Wood & Brass Tansu Chest
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring home a sense of timeless adventure with this fantastic Asiatic burl wood tansu style chest. Upper double doors open to reveal a tidy cubby with two felt-lined, dovetailed drawe...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Hand Painted and Carved Tall Mirror, China circa 1770-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
The attractive carving found in the frame of this mirror includes dramatic flourishes on top, balanced at the base while narrow sides contain figures, birds and more.
Notice the ori...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Pair of 19th Century Qing Dynasty Faux Bamboo Chinese Vases
Located in Ixelles, BE
Faux bamboo Chinese vases were a type of decorative art that emerged during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) in China. These porcelain vases were designed to mimic the appearance of bamboo, a plant highly regarded in Chinese culture for its resilience, elegance, and symbolism. Bamboo is associated with attributes such as flexibility, strength, and modesty, making it a popular motif in Chinese art.
In the Qing Dynasty the color yellow held significant symbolism and represented imperial authority, power, and the emperor himself. Yellow was considered the most sacred and prestigious color in Chinese culture, and it had strong associations with the emperor's position as the Son of Heaven and the ruler of all under heaven.
The marks at the bottom of the vases indicate that these were crafted more specifically during the Tongzhi period – an emperor who reigned from 1861 to 1875, which effectively lasted nthrough his adolescence and was largly overshadowed by the rule of his mother, Empress Dowager Cixi. Although he had little influence over state affairs, the events of his reign gave rise to what historians call the “Tongzhi Restoration”, an unsuccessful modernization program.
The polychrome enamels representing on one vase a traditional Chinese kite...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Manchurian Robe Panel Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century.
Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Manchurian Robe Panel. Embellishe...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silk, Giltwood
Early 20th-C. Chinese Warrior Terracotta Roof Tile Mounted On Lucite
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an antique Chinese warrior roof tile that has been mounted on lucite. The composition appears to be glazed terracotta. The piece coul...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta, Lucite
Chinese Wicker Elephant Box from the Shanghai Collection
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Chinese elephant sculpture ambitiously hand crafted in woven wicker with rattan and wood highlights, having a removable head as a lid. From the famed Shanghai collection.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wicker
Chinese Porcelain Ginger Jar, Qing Dynasty Yongzheng Period
Located in seoul, KR
A Chinese porcelain ginger jar, Yongzheng period, painted in underglaze blue with lotus blooms and shou(水, meaning 'Water') characters beneath a ruyi border, underglaze blue double r...
Category
1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20 Century Antique Carved Bronze 3 Generations of Buddha Statues
Located in Pomona, CA
Three generations of Buddha represents Past, Present and Future three generations of Buddha. They are Dipamkara Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha and Maitreya Buddha. They wer hand made from ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century Petite French Bamboo Three-Shelf Étagère
Located in Houston, TX
Late 19th century petite French bamboo three-shelf étagère. Shelves' surfaces are woven sisal.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood, Grasscloth
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Mongolia Cabinet Credenza
Located in Buffalo, NY
Interesting Chinese Export Cabinet,,,,four doors.. two top opening compartments..
Origin: Mongolia, China
Circa: 1880 - 1900
Material: Wood
Condition: Distressed, Original finished,...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Child's Bib, Cat Motif Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century.
Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Child's Bib, Cat Motif. Embellish...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silk, Giltwood
Chinese Export furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Wang Hing & Co., Luen Wo, and Hung Chong & Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $40 and tops out at $216,780 while the average work can sell for $1,998.
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